By Brad Blume, Sports Information Director
VALLEY CITY, N.D. --- A second-half scoring drought proved to be the difference in Saturday's women's basketball contest against the South Dakota School of Mines Lady Hardrockers and Valley City State as the Lady Vikings defeated SD Mines, 65-58.
Both teams had difficulty establishing their offenses, but SD Mines was held scoreless for nine minutes in the early goings of the second period allowing the Vikings to slowly distance themselves, pulling ahead by as much as 10 points.
The Hardrockers were able to regroup and cut the home team's advantage down to two points with just over four points before Valley City was able the quell the rally and pull away again down the stretch.
The former Dakota Athletic Conference foes were deadlocked at the half, 31-31, and then outscored the visitors, 33-27, over the final 20 minutes. SD Mines shot 35 percent from the field converting 19-54 baskets while the Lady Vikings made good on 18-53 for 34 percent. Free throws also played a role in Saturday's outcome with the 'Rockers going 15-26 for 58 percent while VCSU was 68 percent putting in 24-35.
Individually, SD Mines seniors Katie Strandholm and Hillary Hawkins paced their team. Strandholm dished in 17 points, five rebounds, four steals, one assist and one blocked shot while Hawkins contributed with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Freshmen Jessica Shull and Alexis Long added eight markers each.
The loss drops SD Mines to 14-10 on the season and will finish up its season Sunday afternoon in North Dakota against Jamestown College in a 1 p.m. (MST) matchup.